For a month, Nick Saban told Miami Dolphins players and owner Wayne Huizenga he had no interest in becoming the next head coach at the University of Alabama.
Saban punctuated weeks of denials with this declaration two weeks ago: “I guess I have to say it. I’m not going to be the Alabama coach.”
But that’s just what he became Wednesday.
Two days after admonishing reporters to have the “courtesy” to not ask him any questions about Alabama, Saban did not tell his Dolphins players he was accepting the position. His assistant coaches were assembled to hear the news from him over a speaker phone.
Saban told Huizenga he wanted to accept the Alabama job Tuesday, but he would stay if the owner absolutely demanded that. Huizenga then asked Saban, “So your heart isn’t in this?” Saban didn’t answer.
Saban leaves Miami after two seasons in which the Dolphins were 15-17 and failed to make the playoffs both seasons.
Saban, who coached LSU to a national championship in 2003, and Alabama agreed to a base eight-year contract worth $32 million in guaranteed money, according to The Miami Herald. It also includes a possible $4 million in bonus money for bowl appearances.
“It is what it is,” Huizenga said, using one of Saban’s pet phrases. “There’s a lot of reasons why decisions get made in life. But the net is that he’s not coming back.”
Saban, who started his head coaching career at Toledo in 1990, has compiled a 91-42-1 college record with the Rockets, Michigan State and LSU. He replaces Mike Shula, who was fired after a 6-6 season.
Alabama scheduled a news conference for today to formally introduce its eighth coach since Bear Bryant’s last season in 1982.
Miami, which has the ninth pick in April’s NFL draft, will have to move quickly to find Saban’s replacement. The team already has two former head coaches on its staff in Dom Capers and Mike Mularkey.
Other potential candidates could include Detroit offensive coordinator Mike Martz, San Diego offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, Indianapolis assistant Jim Caldwell, Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and Pittsburgh assistants Russ Grimm and Ken Whisenhunt.
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, Louisville’s Bobby Petrino and Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz are high-profile college coaches whose names will likely be thrown into the mix as well.
“I think I know what our fans want – our fans want to win,” Huizenga said. “And that’s what I want, too. Everyone with the Dolphins wants to win. Win, win, win – that’s all I can say.”
Central Michigan: Missouri offensive coordinator Dave Christensen withdrew his name from consideration for the university’s head coaching vacancy.
“I am grateful to Central Michigan for the consideration they have given me, but I am committed to the University of Missouri and our kids,” Christensen said. “We have so many great things happening at Mizzou with our program, and I want to be a part of what is an exciting future.”
